CBS: Airlines Scramble on Safety Procedures

Last week a huge tragedy did not only shock the whole world but also made everyone think how safe it is to fly. You never know who has a control over your plane after all. CBS explains in details about safety measures and pilots’ health checks in this story.

Background information:Co-pilot – the assistant pilot on an airplane, who aids or relieves the pilotCockpit – the area in a plane where the pilot sitsBulletproof materials – materials that are designed to stop bullets from going through themAirplane cabin – an area inside a plane where the passengers sitFlight attendant – someone who serves food and drinks to passengers on a plane, and looks after their comfort and safetyRelief pilot – a third pilot that is present on board when the flight is longer than 8 hours.Aviation Safety Network – the resource center for aircraft accidents and civil aviation safety issues.

In order to understand this video we’ll need to know the following words.

to disclose
to screen
to seal off
to slip through the cracks
to undergo
trade-off

1. German investigators are going through items confiscated from the homes of Andreas Lubitz.
2. Lubitz with his own intention sent that plane speeding into a French mountain.
3. Revelations force the regulators to look more closely at how to confirm pilots are suitable to fly.
4. After the French prosecutor revealed yesterday that he believes the co-pilot on purpose crashed the plane some European airlines made it required for two people to be in a cockpit at all times.
5. On airlines in the United States, the cockpit door is made stronger with bulletproof material and a series of locks keep the pilots blocked from the cabin and crew.
6. Administrator says there are compromises in the security measures.
7. Before they are hired, US commercial pilots are checked and evaluated.
8. On the job they pass medical exams every six months for pilots 40 or older and every year for those younger.
9. Do you think that’s possible that pilots with depression are bypassing the system and getting behind the controls?
10. You’re legally required to tell those things.

Language

According to the Aviation Safety Network worldwide there have been at least 9 pilot suicides since 1976.

According to many English dictionaries “according to” is used when we want to report what someone says.“According to the Aviation Safety Network” means that the following information comes from them, they told us about it.
We can say “according to” when we want to refer to books or documents as well.According to the map, we are almost there. (the map told us that).
But if you want to sound informal you can replace it with the following:Noun + saysGoogle says, Aviation Safety Network reports accidents. (for example)

NOTE: if you want to emphasize the fact that what you say is your opinion, it’s better to say “In my opinion,”
In my opinion, last week’s tragedy was horrible. BUT:
We don’t say “according to me” or “according to us” just as we don’t say “according to … opinion”

Rewrite the following phrases with according to.
1. Teacher says, we can read really fast. According to…
2. The President says it’s going to be ok. According to…
3. The policeman said they caught the robber. According to…
4. My mom says that I don’t eat well. According to…
5. My colleagues say that I am always late. According to…

I’m waiting for your answers in the comments or my e-mail: newsdaygf@gmail.com

PS. Last Saturday the world celebrated the Earth Hour. Reuters showed us which cities supported the initiative. Now, did you turn your lights out?